On July 17, 2014, Eric Garner died in the Tompkinsville neighborhood of Staten Island, New York, after a police officer put him in an apparent chokehold, a tactic banned by the New York City Police Department(NYPD).Garner was initially approached by officer Justin Damico on suspicion of selling “loosies”, single cigarettes from packs without tax stamps. After Garner expressed to the police that he was tired of being harassed and that he was not selling cigarettes, officers made the move to arrest Garner. Officer Daniel Pantaleo, also on scene, put his arms around the much taller Garner’s neck, applying an apparent chokehold shown in a video recording of the event, which has since gone viral. While lying facedown on the sidewalk surrounded by four officers, Garner is heard repeating “I can’t breathe” 11 times. Garner was pronounced dead approximately one hour later at the hospital
On December 3, 2014, a grand jury decided not to indict officer Pantaleo. The event stirred public protests and rallies with charges of police brutality and was broadcast nationally over various media networks. (source wikipedia)
I personally have been deeply moved by Garner’s death and the resulting acquittal of the policeman involved. I have watched with great interest the protests in Ferguson, Missouri, after Michael Brown, an unarmed black man was shot and killed by a white policeman on the 9th August 2014: who was also acquitted. I was amazed at the footage of a policeman stopping and questioning a black man for looking suspicious – because he had his hands in his pockets as he walked down the street.: – AND IT WAS SNOWING.
So here are some images around the reaction to the policeman being acquitted in the death of Eric Garner. The “I can’t breathe” hastag is trending around the world right now. (6th December 2014)
These images were taken from my Instagram newsfeed.
Representing Lady Liberty.
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peterpilt 
Hi Pastor Peter I agree with your concern. I also challenge any Australian to look at the facts around Aboriginal deaths in custody. This is also a reality in Australia today. Documentaries like ‘Utopia’ or the recent series ‘First Contact’ every Australian should watch too 🙂
absolutly agree with you Karen…how can a young aboriginal girl get 12mths prison for not paying $1,ooo in fines?????…(port hedland 2014) by the way her death in prison was recorded as
self inflicted
Very powerful images! Thanks for sharing
DON’T DO THE CRIME IF YOU CAN’T DO THE TIME !
It’s very rare that the offenders surrender peacefully – so force must be used – AND the offenders know that but still . . . . so WHY blame the arresting officers ???
So illegal choke holds are ok in your world?
“Garner was pronounced dead approximately one hour later at the hospital”
Look how big Garner is – and he put up a good fight with the officers – in a case like this I would use ANY hold (legal or not) to affect arrest. And he was alive after that choke hold – what he died off will be established by the Coroner.
And what about Garner’s Criminal Record ????
I’m sure he was not an Altar Boy just out of the Church and innocently assaulted by the passing Police patrol !
Did you actually watch the video of it? Garner didn’t put up a fight. What are you on about?
The video below was taken from a cell phone, showing how Michael Brown…yes, the one and the same…treats a senior black male. This 300 lb. “young boy” – that’s what media calls him – is the same Michael Brown that attempted to take a gun away from a police officer and paid with his life. Here is the fellow that all of the riots are about. Videos don’t lie. You will not see this in the media. Pass this around so the truth can be known. It needs to be seen!
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know, the Grand Jury got it ALL WRONG!
I guess cause he is a mongrel then he should have been killed by the police. I feel so much more comfortable now knowing that this murder was justified.